Mini compressor to blow away the sawdust from the model

[Mike Y]

Thinking of getting some source of compressed air to blow away the dust and sawdust from the details before applying the finish, for example. Is there such thing? There are many kinds of compressors in the market, which one would be useful for such usecase? Maybe the airbrush compressor?

I also see the cans with compressed air, are they powerful enough to remove the sawdust? 

Any ideas are welcome, wiping away the sawdust with a soft cloth does not really work in a tight corners.

And I need to clean the model from time to time, can't always store in a case..

Edited March 8, 2015 by Mike Y

[ranikola]

I have the same problem!

[jud]

You can get small compressors, made to run from the cigarette lighter in your car, that will pump up to 120 PSI or more, no air storage tank but they may pump enough air for your needs without a tank. Air pressure tanks are not expensive, you could fill one at the tire shop. With a tank with 120 PSI, a filter and regulator would be needed, again not expensive. My compressor is a 3 HP system but I use canned air on my computer.

jud

Edited March 9, 2015 by jud

[marktiedens]

I can reverse the hose on my Kirby vacuum cleaner & turn it into a nice strong blower.

 

/Mark

[shihawk]

I bought a vac just for the workspace and it can easily be reversed to blow .I have thought on using it for this purpose but not tried it yet  . Question ,, would it not be better to suck the dust rather than blow it around to collect elsewhere . Was thinking on a pen thickness pipe used with a small brush ?????

[rtropp]

I use a shop vac with a car cleaning set of attachments. The brush attachment is especially useful.  The car cleaning attachments are fairly inexpensive.

Richard

[augie]

I use a hand held vacuum (carefully) to remove the heavy stuff along with a can of compressed air for tight spots and some creative 'blowing'.  A nice soft artists or cosmetic brush, sometimes very slightly dampened is usually the final touch.  

[JPett]

Ahoy Mike 

 

I use the Rocket Air globe  

 

http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/2791-giottos-super-rocket-air/?p=76162

 

I find them easy to use and very effective 

[Per]

I use a micro attachment for the home vac, a flexible hose with a soft brush at the nozzle end, that works for both models and computers.

For really tight corners canned air and an artists brush. Canned air can be got from any camera shop.

 

Per

[grsjax]

Check eBay under computer tools or look in your local Radio Shack or similar store for a hand held mini-vac used to clean keyboards and printed circuit boards.  Works well in small spaces, doesn't blow to hard so as to do more than you want and the one I have is reversible to blow air as well as vacumn.

 

Here is one on eBay, don't know how good it is but it is cheap.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-USB-Computers-PC-Cleaner-Laptop-Keyboard-Vacuum-Cleaner/281152459311?_trksid=p2045573.c100034.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D28797%26meid%3D6ffb9b0918244d3394d0a1dcb43c81b0%26pid%3D100034%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D251834099668

Edited March 10, 2015 by grsjax

[Ulises Victoria]

I bought this item several years ago. This thing does not suck, it just blows. (No pun intended)

It is a very strong and powerful blowing machine. 

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001J4ZOAW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Dziadeczek]

Try using dry soft brush to loosen dirt. Also, it seems that compressed air in cans (like those used for computers) blow a bit stronger than an airbrush compressor.

[Kitzilla]

I also see the cans with compressed air, are they powerful enough to remove the sawdust? 

 

These are actually really powerful. So much so that an inattentive blast could rip a spar or some rigging off. Plus they're pricy and don't last forever.

[puckotred]

Mike,

Check "Biltema" They have a great little compressor. And you can use it later to learn airbrushing!

 

Biltema

[Mike Y]

Thanks everybody for suggestions! Lots of things to look for

[Nirvana]

Mike,

I add my little contribution as well the combination of the mini-vac with air brush compressor.

Pressure setting is around 60 psi, good enough to remove the dust but nothing else.

I use this this feature and it works well.

Good luck to find your solution.